[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 118 (Monday, July 15, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E917]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          INTRODUCTION OF THE EQUAL DEFERMENT OPPORTUNITY ACT

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                            HON. GRACE MENG

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 15, 2019

  Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to announce the introduction of 
the Equal Deferment Opportunity Act and to impress upon my colleagues 
the importance of all servicewomen having equal protections after 
childbirth. Current law permits a 12-month deferment from deployment 
after an active duty servicemember gives birth--thereby ensuring that, 
before putting their lives on the line to defend America, servicewomen 
are physically recovered during postpartum.
   These same protections, however, do not apply to servicewomen in the 
Reserves or National Guard; my bill would fix this by expanding the 12-
month postpartum deployment deferment to all servicewomen.
   Across all branches of the military, women serve with honor and 
distinction. Their service ensures our nation is safe from hostile 
actors that seek to do harm to us. Retaining talent is a critical issue 
and Congress must ensure the Defense Department is permitting all 
members of the military have equal access to benefits that allow for 
critical healthcare needs. As such, this fix is desperately needed.
   I also applaud Chairman Smith, Ranking Member Thornberry, and my 
House colleagues on the passage of the National Defense Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 2020. This bill represents a clear vision of a 
national security strategy that keeps our nation safe, and advances 
programs and policies that prioritize the wellbeing of our 
servicemembers and their families. I was especially pleased to see the 
adoption of my three amendments that include:
   Permanent Authorization of the Suicide Prevention and Resilience 
Program: The Suicide Prevention and Resilience Program provides members 
of the Reserves and National Guard and their families with training in 
suicide prevention, resilience, and community healing.
   Equal Deferment After Childbirth: This provision extends existing 
allowances for active duty servicewomen to defer deployment after 
childbirth to all members of the armed services, including the Reserves 
and National Guard.
   Lead Service Lines Report: This requires the DOD to submit a report 
on the number of military installations that may have water lines made 
out of lead, and whether DOD has established an awareness campaign to 
inform servicemembers and their families about them.
   I look forward to seeing these amendments enacted into law. Above 
all else, we must ensure our servicemembers and their families are 
fully valued.

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